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I've never been much of a jig fisherman because I tend to gravitate towards budget baits. I've got a tacklebox stocked with plastics, chinese crankbaits, and walmart spinnerbaits. These baits work for me, but Ive wanted to get into jig fishing.

I've scoured ebay for the least expensive unpainted arkies and poison tails I could find. I've paired them with chinese ebay shakee blades and jig skirts, walmart acrylics, and automotive clearcoat. I've got the cost per jig down to around 1.30 per jig all in.

I'd say the results look pretty good, and more importantly they've been catching a ton of fish this spring. (And I dont feel as bad about it when I lose one)

Thinking about using living rubber. Anyone have any suggestions on deciding between the "fine" and "medium" material?

I've never been much of a jig fisherman because I tend to gravitate towards budget baits. I've got a tacklebox stocked with plastics, chinese crankbaits, and walmart spinnerbaits. These baits work for me, but Ive wanted to get into jig fishing.

I've scoured ebay for the least expensive unpainted arkies and poison tails I could find. I've paired them with chinese ebay shakee blades and jig skirts, walmart acrylics, and automotive clearcoat. I've got the cost per jig down to around 1.30 per jig all in.

I'd say the results look pretty good, and more importantly they've been catching a ton of fish this spring. (And I dont feel as bad about it when I lose one)

Thinking about using living rubber. Anyone have any suggestions on deciding between the "fine" and "medium" material?

Fine is for like those clear water conditions, it looks more natural. The medium would be for more stained, it shows up better in the murky water.

I like what you are doing. How are the ebay shakey blades working for you have you had any issues with them? what about the jigs you are buying are generally of good quality off of ebay? I have been kicking around the idea of getting a bass jig mold to go with the other molds I have. I enjoy pouring my own stuff. However Pouring, painting, curing, and dressing takes time. Some times I have the time for it sometimes I do not.

I like what you are doing. How are the ebay shakey blades working for you have you had any issues with them? what about the jigs you are buying are generally of good quality off of ebay? I have been kicking around the idea of getting a bass jig mold to go with the other molds I have. I enjoy pouring my own stuff. However Pouring, painting, curing, and dressing takes time. Some times I have the time for it sometimes I do not.

I thought about pouring my own, but at the prices I'm buying jigs I can't even justify it. I now have a plano box full of numerous head styles for much cheaper than if I were to buy the materials to pour them myself. I dont know if I can post the seller's ID's on here due to BR rules, but I'll shoot you a PM with the best sellers I've found on ebay.

The shakey blades are what they are. The stainless seems plenty durable, and they do the trick. they're not exact copies of the Zman blades, but extremely similar. If you buy the coffin style available on Ebay, my reccomendation is to buy the L or XL. (probably the XL)

They get to vibrating just as quickly/easily as any other chatterbait I've thrown. They have about the same feel to me as the Zman OCB. Fish seem to love them plenty.

If you're planning on making your own chatterbaits on non-flat eye hook jigs, plan on braking a few hooks. I use a vice grips to open and close the eye. Its a pretty delicate process on some jigs . Specifically the mustad hooks on my poison tail jigs are extremely brittle and prone to snapping.

If you're planning on making your own chatterbaits on non-flat eye hook jigs, plan on braking a few hooks. I use a vice grips to open and close the eye. Its a pretty delicate process on some jigs . Specifically the mustad hooks on my poison tail jigs are extremely brittle and prone to snapping.

I found this out as well, Gamakatsu ones do not break nearly as often.

If you're planning on making your own chatterbaits on non-flat eye hook jigs, plan on braking a few hooks. I use a vice grips to open and close the eye. Its a pretty delicate process on some jigs . Specifically the mustad hooks on my poison tail jigs are extremely brittle and prone to snapping.

Not only breaking but they chip. I was breaking 3/5 hooks and if they did bend they had chunks missing.